3.1 - Troubleshooting Solutions

Question 1

Reboot

Answer 1

• Have you tried turning it off and on again?
  – There’s a reason it works
• Bug in your router software - Reboot the router
• Application is using too many resources
  – Stops the app
• Memory leak slowly consumes all available RAM
  – Clears the RAM and starts again

Question 2

Restart services

Answer 2

• Services
  – Applications that run in the background
  – No user interaction
• Similar issues as a normal process
  – Resource utilization
  – Memory leaks
  – Crashes
• View status in Task Manager
  – Services tab
  – Right-click to start, stop, or restart

Question 3

Uninstall/reinstall/update applications

Answer 3

• Application issues
  – Problems with the application files or configurations
• Settings > Apps > Apps & features
  – Repair, reset, or uninstall
• Some options in the Control Panel
  – Programs and Features
• Run the application setup again
  – Other options may be available from the setup
  program
• Repair
  – Install missing files
  – Replace corrupted files
  – Fix application shortcuts
  – Repair registry entries
  – Update or reconfigure drivers
• Reset
  – Remove all application data
  – A factory reset / original install
• Uninstall - Remove the application

Question 4

Verify requirements

Answer 4

• Every operating system and application publishes
  a set of requirements
  – These are commonly the bare minimums
• Check with the manufacturer
  – Get the official requirements
• Hardware and software resources
  – CPU speed, total RAM, video options,
  device drivers, runtime libraries
• Use System Information
  – View the current configuration

Question 5

Add resources

Answer 5

• Check resource utilization
  – Task Manager
• Consider a long-term analysis
  – Performance Monitor
• Compare existing resources with manufacturer
  requirements
  – Add or replace hardware (CPU, SSD, RAM)
• Free drive space
  – Disk Cleanup

Question 6

System file checker

Answer 6

• Verify the integrity of the operating system
  – Check every important system file with sfc

Question 7

Startup Repair

Answer 7

• Start from Settings
  – Settings > System > Recovery
• Also available from the
  – Advanced Boot Options
  – Repair Windows

Question 8

Windows Restore

Answer 8

• Start the System Restore application
  – System > About > System Protection
  – This assumes you’ve not disabled restore points
• Pick a restore point and let the system reboot
  – The operating system configuration will revert to
  the previous date and time
  – User data will not be modified

Question 9

Reimage or reload OS

Answer 9

• Windows is big
  – And complex
• Spend time trying to find the needle
  – Or simply build a new haystack
• Many organizations have prebuilt images
  – Don’t waste time researching issues
• Windows includes a reset option
  – Windows 10: Settings >
  Update & Security > Recovery
  – Windows 11: Settings > System > Recovery

Question 10

Update and patch

Answer 10

• Windows Update
  – Centralized OS and driver updates
• Lots of flexibility
  – Change active hours
  – Manage metered connections
• Applications must be patched
  – Security issues don’t stop at the OS
  – Download from the publisher

Question 11

Roll back updates

Answer 11

• Updates are installed automatically by default
  – Important security patches
• View the history
  – Windows 10:
  – Settings > Update & Security >
  – Windows Update
  – Windows 11:
  – Settings > Windows Update

Question 12

Rebuild Windows profiles

Answer 12

• Profiles can become corrupted
  – The User Profile Service failed the logon.
  – User Profile cannot be loaded.
  – User documents may be “missing”
• If a profile doesn’t exist, it’s recreated
  – We’re going to delete the profile and force
  the rebuilding process

Question 13

Deleting Windows profiles

Answer 13

• Login to the computer with Domain Administrator rights
• Rename the \Users\name folder - This will save important files
• Backup the user’s registry
  – HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\
  CurrentVersion\ProfileList
  – Right-click / Export
• Delete the registry entry
  – You have a backup - Restart the computer

Question 14

Reconstructing Windows profiles

Answer 14

• Login to the computer with the user account
  – The profile will be rebuilt
  – This will recreate the \Users\name folder
• Login as Domain Administrator
  – Copy over any important files from the old profile
• Do not copy the entire profile
  – Corrupted files might exist in the old profile
• Logout as Domain Administrator, login with the user account